Posts Tagged ‘Cubs’

Here are some players that rarely get the fantasy street credit they deserve.

(% owned is ESPN leagues)

Kyle Kendrick SP, PHI (97%)- this guy has been one of the best pitchers in baseball as he has a 2.47 ERA and 1.06 WHIP on the year. Has given up 2 ER or less in 7 straight starts ( all have been QS). The key for him has been the 10 BB in 54.2 IP. This is a pitcher that you could buy-low and at the same time sell-high if you own him. Best advice would be to hold onto him unless you can trade for a quality player.

David Dejesus OF,Cubs(7.7%)- its baffling how little respect De-Jesus (Big Lebowski reference) gets. His numbers are really good as he has 24 Runs, 5 HRs, 14 RBIs, 2 SBs, .362 OBP and .516 Slugging %. For context, Carl Crawford has 24 runs, 5 HRs, 10 RBIS, 8 SBS, .369 OBP and .481 Slugging %. Those are very similar numbers. Dejesus is a very good leadoff guy and could crack 90 runs this season. He has a career .355 OBP so don’t expect his OBP to dip but his Slugging % is at a career best as he has never had a Slugging % higher than .452 but he finally has some good hitters behind him so he might be able to finish with a career high in that category. If you need runs/OBP from a #4 or #5 OF than here is your answer.

Jorge De La Rosa SP, Col (22.3%)- One of my favorite names to say and he is having a bounce back year. People forget that he was hurt pretty much hurt the last 2 seasons. Now he looks like he has figured things out with his 2.98 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, and 6 QS. He is no longer is trying to strike every batter out as he only has 28 Ks in 45.1 IP compared to almost a strikeout per inning his whole career. If De La Rosa can stay healthy then he could be a great pickup and someone you can off the waiver wire.

They look pretty equal and I would choose player A because of the OBP which is the big difference.

Player A is A.J. Ellis ( see more about him below)

Player B is Salvador Perez…yea pretty shocking how not special he has been.

A.J. Ellis, C, LAD (2.8%)- the guy doesn’t do a lot but he gets On-Base as he has a .385 OBP this season and had a .373 OBP last year. If you are in a 2 catcher league that counts OBP then he is a solid #2 catcher.

Here is the Monday, June 25th, 2012 edition “All Things Fantasy”. Jeff Erickson from rotowire.com stop by to talk some fantasy baseball. We talk about the recent prospect call ups, some closer situations, and much more. Also, I talk some fantasy football and the best way to optimize your bench. Here are my notes from the show and check out the article I wrote for FantasyPPR http://fantasyppr.com/2012/06/26/optimizing-your-bench/.

Here are my notes from the show

Wil Myers C,

Chris Nelson 2B, 3B Col (ESPN 10%)- in his last 11 games he has 7 runs, 3 HR, 10 RBIs and a great .350 BA. Really like this guy going forward. hes going to get a lot of PT with TULO hurt and has been recently.

Cody Ross OF, Bos (55%)- has been tearing the cover off the ball since his return from the DL. In the 6 games he has played since returning he has 5 runs, 3 HRs, 10 RBIs, and has gone 7/22 .318 BA. PT is no longer an issue with youklis traded. This guy has a lot of power and will get RBIs, but his average is nothing great.

Quintin Berry OF, DET (9.3%)- in his last 6 games he has started he has gone 9/23 with 4 runs, 1 HR, 4 rbi and 3 SB. He is a speedster who bats atop the Tigers lineup. He should continue to see plenty of playing time and will contribute in SBs and runs. He did hit his first career homerun so don’t expect him to hit many more. He also has a .396 OBP on the season

Salvador Perez C, KC (6%)- already has a HR this season. Is a great addition for any fantasy team. this guy can hit for average and will get plenty of RBIs and the occasional bombski

Leonys Martin OF, TEX- hes more of a watchlist player

Jon Jay OF, STL-(31.5%) has a good hitter, can contribute all around including SBs.

Trevor Bauer SP, ARIZ

Ross Detwiler SP, RP WSH (12.4%)- recently became a starter again for the Nationals and had a solid outing as he went 5 inngs, 3 Ks, 0 ERs and gave up 4 hits and 2 walks in 5 innings, Look for him to put up similar numbers. He wont go long innings but will be sharp in the innings he pitches

Jose Quintana SP, RP CHI WS (21%)- his stats the last 3 starts have been nothing pure greatness. He has pitched 21. 1/3 innings, striking out 14 while compiling a 0.42 ERA ( 1ER) and a 0.98 WHIP. He does go against the Yankees this week but he still can picked up. He hasnt walked a batter in last 3 starts.

Bobby Parnell RP, NYM (14.3%)- Is now the closer for the Mets and should be able to get some saves. This is more of a stop-gap but if your desperate for saves look no further than this guy.

Jair Jurrjens SP, ATL (11%)- in his first start back from the DL he pitched awesomely going 7 2/3 innings striking out 4 and only giving up 3 hits and 1 walk. He got the W.

This is the Monday June 4th, 2012 edition of “All Things Fantasy” . Jeff Erickson, Senior editor of Rotowire.com, comes on the show to talk about closer situations, some hot pitchers, prospects to watch, and more. Also, start my 5 Fantasy football facts for the upcoming season. Here are my notes from the show. “All Things Fantasy”

2 week starters

Last week got Scott Diamond right with 13 innings pitched 1 Win, 2 QS,35 points in CBS standard league scoring., Bronson Arroyo struggled as he had 2 loses and Travis wood had 1 good start and1 bad start that netted him 16 fantasy points for the week.

Not a lot to chose from next week when it comes to 2 start pitchers. So I went with guys who have good matchups.

Wei- Yin Chen SP, BAL- vs PIT, @ ATL goes against Pitsburgh

Clayton Richard SP, SD- @SEA, @OAK

Blake Beavan vs SD, vs SFG

Adds–

Gordon Beckham (36.6%)- has been on tear recently as he has 3 homeruns, 8 rbis, and a 310 BA in his last 6 games. Beckham was huge prospect and is finally hitting. I don/t see him being this good all year but could be really good this week

Daniel Nava (22.6%)-

Quintin Berry ( 21.6%)- is Fast, that’s all you need to know. HA but really he is filling for Austin Jackson and in 12 games this season he has scored 11 runs, stolen 6 bases, and is batting .333 w 5 xbh. He could be a cheap source of steals until Jackson comes back

Stephen Drew (15%) SS, ARIZ- should return to the D-Backs in about 2 weeks and will be a great edition to fantasy lineups. While I do expect him to start off slow and a couple of extra off days. I think he could have a huge impact the once he comes back. If your desperate for a SS and can wait another 2 weeks then pick him up before someone else does.

Kirk Nieuwenhius (10.2%) OF, NYM- has been hitting all season with his .301 BA, has 19 rbis, 31 runs, 3 HR/SB. He could provide a great BA and score some runs. He is getting PT in outfield. Also, Jason Bay will return soon so keep a flyer on him.

Carlos Zambrano (61.6%)- BIG Z should be owned in almost every league. BTW never thought I would say that. He has won his last 2 starts. He has a 2.81 ERA and 1.11 WHIP and if you take away his last start where he gave up 7 runs then it would be a lot lower as he hasn’t giving up more than 3 ERs in anystart besides that one. Infact he has given up 1 ER or less in 6 of 10 starts

Casey Jansen ( 51%) has been the closer for the Blue Jays and has secured 5 saves since becoming the man in Toronto.

Matt Harrison (36%) has been sensational his 3 starts, All wins, granted 2 were against SEAttle . His next start is Friday vs San Fran. He has pitched 21.2 innings in his last 3 starts ( all Wins) with 14 ks and a 2.49 ERA and 1.11 WHIP

Brian Matusz (6%) has won 4 of his last 5 starts and hasn’t allowed more than 3 ER in any of those starts. he has beaten the rays twice and Red Sox once in 4 of those wins. has 21Ks in his 19 2/3 innings. with a 2.29 ERA and miniscule 0.92 WHIP.

Brandon McCarthy- is back from injury and already picked up a win against KC. His next start is against Texas so I wouldn’t start him then but He is definitely worth a pick up . There is a reason he owned in 63.4% of ESPN leagues

5 Fantasy football facts for next season

5. Don’t draft rookies- Football is the hardest sport to make the adjustment to. RG3 will be a lot better in fantasy than Luck, Trent Richardson will be great but will it be this year and people are already taking him to high. A.J. Green and Julio Jones where the best rookies WRs and those where 2 prominent guys in college. Cam Newton had a ridic year last year. Demarco Murray was the Best rookie RB last year and still didn’t finish in the top 30 in points last year of RBS.

4. Best RB is in the Eye of the beholder as Ray Rice had the most Fantasy points for a RB but Foster or Mccoy could be taken ahead of him. Guys like Chris Johnson and Jamaal Charles could be bounce back candidates. I am staying away from Matt Forte and Adrian Peterson.

3. WR is All Megatrons- next closest player is wes welker with 71 points less than Calvin. Roddy white isn’t going to be the best WR on his team. Same goes for Greg Jennings and Mike Wallace,

2. TE position falls drastically after 1st 2 Gronkowsi( 232 pts) and Jimmy graham (187). Next is Aaron Hernandez with 123 and there are about 8-9 guys who are all withing 25 points of each other

1.QB position is DEEP, While this is obvious It has to be pointed out b/c guys brees and Rodgers are taken so high and You can wait on a great QB who will put up huge numbers, Like either manning a total of around 8 Elite level fantasy QBs.

This is Monday, May 7th 2012 edition of “All Things Fantasy”. Jeff Erickson from rotowire.com joins me to talk Fantasy Baseball. We discuss, some Second Basemen, Closers, Some pitchers that have started off hot, and more. Also, I give you some pickups you should make and 2 start pitchers for next week. The notes are attached.

2 week starters

deep league is Wade Miley @ LAD, @ KC has his last 2 out 3 starts and allowed only 4 runs in that span and that all came in one game. He gets almost a Strikeout per innings and could put up great stats next week

Henderson Alavarez (4%)-vs TB, vs NYM makes it back on this list. while he doesn’t strike out a lot of batters only 12 in 41 innings. he does have a great 2.83 ERA and a 1.04 WHIP. The TB offense is good but if he can make it through the start then the Mets should be an easy W. he did give up 6 ERs against them in his first time he faced TB.

Jeff Niemann @Tor, vs ATL

Ryan Vogelsong- vs Col, vs OAK

Drew Smyly – (45% ESPN)@CHW, vs Pit has not given up more than2 ER in any start this season. has 29 Ks in 28 Innings, he wont get a lot of 2 start weeks but if gets 2 next week he could have a huge next week against a weak offense in Pit and an OK offense in the Sox

Phil Hughes- vs BAL, @ KC did ok he had 1 win and 1 QS in 12 inns, with 13 Ks, and a high era of 5.11 but did have a .97 WHIP

Clay Bucholz vs OAK, vs BALT got lit up. His stats are so bad I cant even calculate them

Players to add

Josh “chronicles of” Reddick OAK, OF(40% ESPN) – has 5 multi hit games in his 10 games and has 5 HR, 11 RBIs, 16 runs, and 3 SBs. He has started almost every game this year for Oakland and look for him to keep getting Regular PT.

Andres Torres NYM OF (.6%)- Was just activated from the DL about a week ago and has started every game since his return and has gotten a hit in every game since then. Has a .333 BA, 3 runs, 6 RBIs, 1 SB and .407 OBP

Andrew Cashner

Jake Arrieta SP, BAL- has been pretty good this year has he has a ok ERA at 3.52 but a low WHIP of .99 He has 33ks in 38 Innings, and 3 QS out of 6. his record is 2-2 on the season. However his next 2 starts are against TEX and TB so be careful.

Chris Johnson 3B, Houston

Kyle Seager 3B, Seattle

Yonder Alonso 1B, OF San Dieg- The hits are there, eventually the RBI’s are going to come. He has a .361 OBP on the season and .444 OBP in the last 15 days. He is batting in the middle of order and has always been a solid prospect